Corporation for National and Community Service - Joining Forceshttp://www.nationalservice.gov/tags-tags/joining-forces
enAmeriCorps, National Guard Announce New Joining Community Forces Partnershiphttp://www.nationalservice.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2013/americorps-national-guard-announce-new-joining-community-forces
<div class="field field-name-field-date-release field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-03-15T00:00:00-04:00">Mar 15, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:&#10;auto;text-align:center"><span style="font-style: italic;">Initiative critical as country prepares for 1.5 million</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> service members, guardsmen, and reservists to return home in the next five years</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">WILMINGTON, DEL. – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the National Guard Bureau today announced a collaborative effort to place AmeriCorps members in Delaware and locations across the country as part of a new Joining Community Forces initiative.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS, and Brig. Gen. Marianne E. Watson, National Guard Bureau Director of Manpower and Personnel, joined Sen. Tom Carper, Sen. Chris Coons, Gov. Jack Markell, and Wilmington Mayor Dennis P. Williams in making the announcement at the Boys and Girls Club.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The partnership will strengthen National Guard support services by providing access to the human capital of AmeriCorps VISTA members for all 54 states and territories. AmeriCorps VISTA members will help to expand the National Guard’s capacity to provide services for guardsmen and their families at risk of homelessness, joblessness, or otherwise in need of economic stability assistance.</p><p style="text-align: left;">“Today, leaders from diverse sectors – the business community, the nonprofit world, and government – unite behind a single goal: serving our nation’s veterans and military families,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “National service has always been about applying America’s greatest resource – our citizens – as a solution to our nation’s greatest challenges. We are honored to join with the National Guard and leaders like those here in Delaware to honor our nation’s solemn obligation to the brave men and women who have served their country.”</p><p style="text-align: left;">“A growing concern over the past few years among military leaders is providing for the education, employment and well-being needs of currently serving military, veterans, and their families, especially those outside the gates of military installations,” said General Marianne Watson of the National Guard Bureau. “AmeriCorps members have the power to support our military members and their families at the state and local level with unprecedented ‘people-power.’ As our men and women in uniform return home, it is critical that we tap into this resource, align our efforts at the national, state and local levels, and capitalize on the AmeriCorps spirit of "getting things done."</p><p style="text-align: left;">“Giving back to our communities is an essential American value,” U.S. Sen. Chris Coons said. “AmeriCorps embodies this ethic of service and community engagement and has a multiplier effect in our communities, delivering much more in benefits than the small investment we make to keep it running. The projects I was proud to help announce today will make a meaningful impact in the lives of Delawareans for years to come. I look forward to seeing these programs in action and thank the volunteers who work day-in and day-out on behalf of Delaware.”</p><p style="text-align: left;">"This partnership formalizes a collective power of people helping other people in need," said Delaware Governor Jack Markell. "This initiative offers all of us a unique way to meet the needs of military families who have already sacrificed so much for their country but find themselves, for whatever reason, struggling in their current circumstance. It will show how when we work together we can make a significant difference in the lives of other people."</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">In addition to the National Guard project, CNCS also announced a commitment of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members to the Boys and </span>Girls Club of Delaware to help renovate and restore a former National Guard Armory in Smyrna that is now home to a Boys and Girls Club that serves military-connected children and families.</p><p style="text-align: left;">“As a 23-year veteran of the Navy, I understand the sacrifice our servicemen and women and their families make to protect and serve our country,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “This AmeriCorps program will put resources and support behind helping the folks who deserve our thanks. The program is a win-win for Delaware and our nation.”</p><p>This announcement builds on previous efforts by CNCS to and for the military community. The AmeriCorps VISTA members join more than 4,000 CNCS-powered individuals engaged in service that benefits military families and veterans. Approximately 1.5 million veterans and military family members were impacted by AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers last year. More than 16,000 veterans have served in AmeriCorps since its inception, applying their leadership and organizational skills as national service participants and continuing their commitment to their country.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-footer-field field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p align="center"><span style="font-style: italic;">###</span></p><p>The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and George H.W. Bush Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/">NationalService.gov</a>.</p></div></div></div>Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000Editor10127 at http://www.nationalservice.govhttp://www.nationalservice.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2013/americorps-national-guard-announce-new-joining-community-forces#commentsHonor and Support Military Familieshttp://www.nationalservice.gov/blogs/2012-11-26/honor-and-support-military-families
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-terms field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Veterans and Military Families</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">By:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Greg Tucker</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>As President Obama said in his proclamation declaring November as Military Family Month, behind each service member "stands a parent, a sibling, a child, a spouse -- proud family members who share the weight of deployment and make profound sacrifices on behalf of our country."</p><p>During this month, we have the opportunity to highlight the contributions, sacrifices, and resilience of the families who wear yellow ribbons while managing responsibilities at home. <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/11/01/presidential-proclamation-military-family-month-2012">President Obama's proclamation marking the month</a> not only highlights the breadth of those waiting for our soldiers to come home but provides a challenge for all Americans to support the families of those who fight for us.</p><p><a href="http://photos.nationalservice.gov/Servegov/As-Seen-onServegov/11021047_TH7QMx#!i=1394411151&amp;k=BkWMzmT&amp;lb=1&amp;s=A" title="A U.S. Marine encourages a child to join in the fun during a 2011 Let's Read Let's Move event in Quantico, VA."><img alt="A U.S. Marine encourages a child to join in the fun during a 2011 Let's Read Let's Move event in Quantico, VA." src="http://photos.nationalservice.gov/Servegov/As-Seen-onServegov/i-BkWMzmT/0/M/20110720-459K1425-M.jpg" style="margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-right: 6px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; float: left; width: 225px; height: 337px;" /></a></p><p><i>“When a young woman signs up to defend our Nation, her parents are enlisted as well. When a father deploys to a combat zone, his children are called to serve on the home front. And when the men and women of our military serve far from home, their families feel the strain of their absence. … This month, we reaffirm that we will always lift up our military families -- not just when their loved ones are away, but also long after the welcome home ceremonies are over.”</i></p><p>Some of the major stresses that American families may face a few times over decades can become common occurrences for military families. The often-transient nature of military life can bring challenges that create issues related to education and employment and that are amplified by the frequency of their moves. The physical or emotional scars our returning soldiers carry from their service can also stress family members and their support systems.</p><p>The <a href="/">Corporation for National and Community Service</a> (CNCS) supports our active duty military, veterans, and military families through initiatives and programs, such as the Community Blueprint, that aim to address the needs of this underserved group. Additionally, our <a href="/newsroom/press-releases/2012/cncs-expands-support-veterans-and-military-families">AmeriCorps members</a>, Senior Corps volunteers, and Social Innovation Fund programming address areas of need to create opportunity and resolve problems within this community.</p><p>CNCS and other organizations have tools that can help you create projects and serve this special cohort. Consider these ideas and resources or <a href="http://www.serve.gov/">search for others to support and serve our troops, veterans, and military families</a> during the holiday season and all year long.</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces">Joining Forces</a> – This White House initiative focuses on supporting servicemen and women, veterans, and military spouses, by providing the resources to help them with employment and other issues.</li><li><a href="http://www.bluestarfam.org/">Blue Star Families</a> – This group helps support, connect, and empower military families by bridging the gap between families and support and service organizations.</li><li><a href="http://www.militaryfamily.org/">National Military Family Association</a> – This organization focuses on issues that are important to military families.</li><li><a href="http://www.serve.gov/toolkits.asp">CNCS Veterans and Military Families toolkits</a> – Interested in creating your own project to support and serve military families? We have toolkits to help you plan and execute your ideas.</li></ul><p>The needs of our soldiers, veterans, and their families deserve recognition more than a few times a year. It's important that we recognize their service and sacrifices so the one percent of Americans serving can feel the appreciation of the 99 percent that reap the benefits.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags-tax field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags-tags/joining-forces" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Joining Forces</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-programs-focus-areas-and-s field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/programs-focus-areas-special-initiatives-tags/veterans-and-military-families" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Veterans and Military Families</a></div></div></div>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 05:00:00 +0000Editor3302 at http://www.nationalservice.govhttp://www.nationalservice.gov/blogs/2012-11-26/honor-and-support-military-families#comments